"Domo Arigato"

Found some more of the same in this article from Indystar.com (The whole article is worth a read~here's the 'gist):

"Study: U.S. 8th graders lag in math and science." The cited study refers to a 1983 report by the U.S. Department of Education's National Commission on Excellence, which warned: "Our nation is at risk. Our once unchallenged preeminence in commerce, industry, science, and technological innovation is being overtaken by competitors throughout the world."

We know this already folks....I'll save my cynicysm for this author, since he beat me to the punch:

"Is anyone else shocked that a problem identified nearly 25 years ago is still unresolved or that our nation's students are drifting in a current of limited opportunities that lead to a lowered standard of living?"

Okay, no. I'm not shocked. Saddened, angered, peeved, yes. Confused? Yes...

"A 2004 report by the National Science Board found that while the number of jobs in science and engineering are escalating, there is a "troubling decline" in the number of U.S. college graduates in those fields, a trend that "threatens the economic welfare and security of our country." Based on this report and others, we need to help not only all students become math and science competent, but also to prepare more students for careers in technical fields.

To achieve these goals, the current system of math and science education must be reformed, beginning in elementary school classrooms. Early math and science lessons are often interactive, filled with field trips and lively experiments. Sometime between elementary school and high school, however, too many students trade magnets, pattern blocks, and jars of earthworms for textbooks, lectures and memorization assignments. And, not surprisingly during this time, many students' sentiments about math and science shift from relevant and thought provoking to confusing and elusive."

Well, what can you expect when our elementary and secondary teachers require only a 2.5 GPA to teach and accelerate young minds?! We hire the mediocre and cry foul when we get exactly that out of them...

"Students do not become inspired by textbooks. They become inspired by great teachers, experiences they have, discoveries they make, and their expanding ability to apply complex and abstract ideas to the world around them."

But that's Indiana~Funny, sounds alot like Missouri... Sounds like they are paying for mediocrity too... Well, at least Indy won't beat out Missouri... Can you say 'Domi Arugato'? (Sorry, can't spell....went to public shcool...meant to say thank you in the language of my superiors...)